2025 Preview: Gilbert Indians

Gilbert football players don't need to be told of the expectations, how eight wins is a jumping off point, not the endgame for a program that has become used to winning over the last decade.   They all know it.   Coming off last season's 8-5 finish, then, the guys putting on pads believe they owe something more.   “That pressure is there,” senior [player_tooltip player_id='1734578' first='Demarion' last='Brown'] said at the Prep RedZone Media Day on July 11. “We have our best people returning on defense. Three of our defensive backs are all-region players. Last year, a lot of expectations were placed on one, two people. This year, it's much more spread out. We have a bunch of returners.”   The list of guys coming back spreads further than the players, as head coach Ozzie Exume will be moving into Year 2 after being promoted in late February of 2024. Gone are the days of simply trying to steer the ship while he worked into his own rhythm.   The offseason routine was fully implemented and this was a team that was already working on some individual game planning in June.    Clearly, the effects of the continuity have filtered right on back to the players. And with what's coming back for the Indians - especially on defense -  there's reason for high hopes.   “We'll have plenty of guys back on defense that I call the stable of our group,” Exume said. “That's guys like [player_tooltip player_id='1734578' first='Demarion' last='Brown'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1043170' first='Wynn' last='Meetze'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1734581' first='RJ' last='Kearse'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1664620' first='Gavin' last='Elliott'] and K'Mari Brown and [player_tooltip player_id='1054176' first='Grayson' last='Gunter'] - those guys on defense are our tone setters. Those are guys that have played a lot of football.”   Some lesser known teammates on that side of the ball will have their shot to add their own names to that initial list. Defensive linemen AJ Doria (42 tackles, six TFL) and Ashton Smith (24 tackles, one sack) will each see their snap counts improve, as will linebacker Logan Taylor (52 tackles, nine QBH).    Offensively, there are some big questions to answer, starting with the backfield. Tailback Jirarya Staley (95 yards, one touchdown) will go from third-string to starter, and former backup signal caller [player_tooltip player_id='1393774' first='Kaden' last='Kingery'] will be the new QB1 after throwing 11 passes all of last season. Receiver Adam Lepley will be transitioning from the defense, while Ethan Collins will be charged with replacing Southern Miss signee Connor Gooding at tight end.   Many of those question marks won't start to be fully answered until August 22, when Lexington comes in for the season opening. However, having a fully involved offseason this time around won't hurt.    “We were sort of speeding through things. We weren't able to be as intentional with some of the things we wanted to get through,” Exume said. “This year, from the time our season ended, we took a week off and then we were working.”   STARS SET TO SHINE   [player_tooltip player_id='1043170' first='Wynn' last='Meetze'] DB, 2026 - Meetze was an easy pick for SCFCA Class 4A All-State honors a season ago after 126 tackles, two forced fumbles, a fumble recovers and two pass break-ups. If you're every trying to identify him, start in the second and look at the dude screaming toward the line of scrimmage.   [player_tooltip player_id='1664620' first='Gavin' last='Elliott'] DB, 2027 - The team's last line of defense is often Elliott, who plays the deep safety position. As a sophomore, he had 68 total tackles, a pair of pass break-ups and a fumble recovery. His biggest role is to make sure nothing gets beyond him, and the task fits perfectly with his skill set and the other loaded defensive back room.   [player_tooltip player_id='1734578' first='Demarion' last='Brown'] DB, 2026 (pictured) -  Brown finished second to only Meetze in the tackle department last fall, finishing with 116 total stops. The safety can be equally proactive, but his biggest contribution to the Gilbert defense is his ability to adjust on the fly and get into position to make a tackle.    [player_tooltip player_id='1734581' first='RJ' last='Kearse'] DB, 2026 - Kearse finished the 2024 season with 72 total tackles (42 solo), eight pass break-ups, two tackles for loss, a forced fumble and a pick. He's going to mostly play corner, but he brings a strong-safety's tackling ability to the equation, something that's a huge plus against some of the run-based offenses on the schedule.    FILM REVIEW   [player_tooltip player_id='1054176' first='Grayson' last='Gunter'] LB, 2026 - For as many versatile and effective pieces are back for the Indians' defense, it would be hard to imagine what this unit looks like without Gunter. The hybrid linebacker had 93 tackles last year, but he also had four tackles for loss and 14 quarterback hurries, something that speaks to his ability to blitz off the edge. He's going to look like a middle linebacker at times and anything but at others.    BIGGEST LOSSES   [player_tooltip player_id='1036777' first='Trevon' last='Williamson'] RB/LB - Williamson transferred to Gray Collegiate after rushing for nearly 2,500 yards and 29 touchdowns over the last two seasons. He also played a good bit of linebacker, as well.   Connor Gooding TE - The all-region and all-state tight end signed with Southern Mississippi after putting up 36 receptions for 690 yards and four touchdowns in his final season with Gilbert.    UP-AND-COMING TALENT   [player_tooltip player_id='1393774' first='Kaden' last='Kingery'] QB, 2026 - Kingery was a a back-up to Cooper James last fall, and his number of snaps was held in check. He did throw one touchdown (vs. Aiken) and finished the year having completed seven-of-11 attempts for 63 yards.    [player_tooltip player_id='1734574' first='Kennedy' last='Harmon'] OL, 2026 - Harmon more than cut his teeth during his junior season, locking down the left guard position with his 5-foot-10, 295-pound frame. He's a strong blocker one-on-one, and when he's asked to pull he can be a pancake machine. As a senior, he could be one of the bright stars moving up the ranks.     Guthrie was arguably Gilbert's biggest boost in the postseason last fall, as he used the three playoff games to rack up 16 receptions for 395 yards and five touchdowns. That propelled him to tie Gooding in receptions while simultaneously leading the team in overall yards (710) and touchdowns (eight).    His ability to make the most out of short passes or go deep should be fully on display during his junior season.

Gilbert football players don't need to be told of the expectations, how eight wins is a jumping off point, not the endgame for a program that has become used to winning over the last decade.